The 10 worst Premier League January transfers

5. Afonso Alves to Middlesbrough

It would be fair to say that Boro do not have the best of records when it comes to signing strikers mid-season, highlighted by their record buy, Afonso Alves.

The Brazilian joined from Heerenveen in 2007, to a carnival welcome on Teesside, after scoring an incredible 48 goals in 48 games while in the Netherlands.

Alves started well at the Riverside Stadium, notching five in his first 11 Premier League games, including a hat-trick against Manchester City on the final day of the 2007-08 campaign.

But things turned sour the following season. The £13 million man had a shocking season, scoring a paltry four goals in 31 games while the club were relegated to the Championship, and moved to Qatar, where he has got back on the goal trail.